Thread: Buffer Question

RPMs are quoted a lot, but are not the whole story. If you have a meaty machine capable of taking different sized wheels, then you have to consider the rate that the wheel surface is moving across the razor - surface feet per minute (sfpm).

If you have a rpm rate of 1725 with an 8 inch wheel, the sfpm rate is 3450.

If you have a rpm rate of 1725 with a 6 inch wheel, the sfpm rate is 2588.

Using the same machine and a 4 inch wheel the sfpm rate is the same - 1725.

It is not of much importance if you buy a buffer that is designed for one size of wheel, though, but worth bearing in mind if buy a larger buffer: by using different wheel diameters you can vary the sfpm to suit the job. It is probably of more importance in the UK where variable speed buffers are rare and expensive or too small and underpowered to do an efficient job.

My solution was to buy a purpose made heavy duty spindle and connect it to a motor with a step-pulley and v-belt.

Regards,
Neil